It was a longer wait than Anthony Lippe and his Lady Pioneers were expecting, but the team finally has its first win.
The Warren County High School girls basketball team ended its 11-game losing streak in emphatic fashion Friday, beating Buckhorn, Ky. 70-39 in the consolation bracket of the Smoky Mountain Christmas Classic.
“It feels great,” Lippe said following his team’s first victory. “I’m just excited for our girls. They have fought hard all year to the final buzzer each and every game. They deserve this win.”
Senior Beth Vaughn set a new career high with 21 points, her fourth double-digit scoring game in the last six games as she’s establish herself as the team’s deep threat. Vaughn swished four 3-pointers in the matchup, one she was determined would come out in the Lady Pioneers’ favor.
“My team and I are so happy. We have been spending countless hours in the gym working for this moment,” said Vaughn.
Erica Cantrell and Kyra Perkins added eight points in the victory, one Warren County dominated from the outset. The Lady Pioneers held a double-digit lead after one quarter (24-13) and never trailed in the last 30 minutes.
Vaughn made sure Buckhorn couldn’t rally late. After the Lady Wildcats cut the deficit to eight entering the fourth quarter, Vaughn drilled back-to-back triples late, part of an 11-point outburst for the senior in the final period.
Kam Nowlin and Katy Mae Cantrell also connected from deep in the fourth, helping Warren County outscore the Lady Wildcats 28-5 in the last eight minutes.
Warren County had 12 players get on the scoreboard Friday, led by Vaughn’s splendid outing. Also scoring for the Lady Pioneers was Lia Wright with six, Shelby Smartt with five, Nowlin, Sydney Burger and Brielee Kelsey with four, Cantrell and Mia Hobbs with three and Rudy DeArmond and Kenley Cathcart with two each.
Cathcart’s early layup was the first two points for the senior, who has spent the offseason recovering from a knee injury suffered last season.
Warren County completed play in the Gatlinburg tournament Saturday. Scores were unavailable. Check the Standard website for more information on the Lady Pioneer basketball season.
